Natural Ways to Fix Common Hair Problems

We all want healthy beautiful hair. Here are a few common hair problems and the natural ways to fix them.

1. Dry, Brittle Hair: 

The Cause: Excessive blow drying, chemical coloring agents, and the wrong kind of conditioner are the common culprits. Hormonal balances may be to blame , especially if you are menopausal or perimenopausal. Less common causes include: thyroid disease or autoimmune diseases. These can cause dryness and breakage of hair. Lack of proper hydration impacts hair leaving it parched and brittle. 

The Fix: Once you have ruled out possible medical causes, focus on moisturizing with super-emollient shampoos and conditioners: look for those with biotin, a B vitamin that increases the elasticity of the hair cortex to keep brittle hair from breaking. ( you can take biotin supplements too). Use a deep conditioner or hair repair formula weekly. Avoid excessively steamy showers and heat drying, both of which can strip oil from scalp and dehydrate hair, 

2. Dull Hair:

The Cause: Most often it is because of build up of hair product, spray, mousse or even conditioner that coat the hair shaft over time , causing dull hair. Chlorine from swimming pools and even in tap water can also cause dull hair. 

The Fix: Use a clarifying shapoo once a week to remove hair product buildup. Rinse hair weekly in apple cider vinegar. Keep hair locks well conditioned to promote shine and look for a conditioner that specifically focuses on luster. Plant oil serums can also bring glow back to dull hair. 

3. Frizzies: 

The Cause: In winter, cold dry air and indoor heating lead to a lack of humidity in the air leaving hair dull and frizzy and causes flyaway locks. If you have curly hair, your problem will be compounded in summer, when excess humidity in the air can make curls unmanageable. Lack of dietary fat can also lead to year round frizzies.

The Fix:  Tame frizzy, flyaway hair by spritzing your hair brush with hair spray. Combat damage and dryness with leave in conditioner. Skip brushing and use a wide toothed comb to style hair instead. Increase healthy fats in your diet .
 

4. Thinning Hair: 
The Cause: Genetics and hormones are the most likely culprits, tight hairstyles, like sliced back pony tails and buns can lead to traction alopecia a condition that weakens hair follicles and stop hair growth. Hair loss and thinning can occur with low levels of iron or vitamin D or a lack of dietary proteins . Use of some medicines like anti depressants can also lead to hair thinning. Inflammation can damage hair follicles leading to early hair loss.
The Fix: Address any medical causes, get your iron and vitamin D levels checked and increase your dietary protein. Aim at 40-50 gm/day or about 25-30 % of your daily calories. Hair growth vitamins can also help. Losen up if your pony or bun is tugging your skin.

5. Oily Hair: 
The Cause: Sebaceous glands in the scalp are responsible for producing oils that moisturize the scalp and hair shaft. Hormonal imbalances and certain diseases of the pituitary or adrenal glands can shift them into over drive, leaving hair oily and flat. Ovarian disorders can have the same effect. Over brushing the hair can make it look oilier since you are distributing oil from the scalp through hair strands. The same goes with over conditioning the hair.
The Fix: Once you have ruled out the medical causes , a dry shampoo can help. Look for shampoos formulated with tea tree oil and citrus to remove excess oil and calm the sebaceous glands. Instead of conditioner use a light cream to rinse and skip the scalp.

6. Dandruff: 
The Cause: Dandruff is simple dry skin cells that shed from the scalp. Seborrheic dermatitis and eczema can also be at the root of the problem. Malassezia, a typically harmless fungus, can irritate the scalp and cause faster turn over of skin cells creating dandruff. Other common causes are sensitivity to hair products and not shampooing often.
The Fix: Rule out dermatitis and eczema. Use natural shampoos and conditioners and avoid styling products that can irritate the scalp. Products that contain salicylic acid, baking soda or vinegar can help remove dandruff. Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid an anti fungal that can fight the malassezia fungus. Gently massage coconut oil into scalp leave it for 30 minutes and then shampoo and rinse.